By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Known for his work as a cardiologist, Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. was much more than the first person to successfully implant an automatic heart defibrillator– he was a pillar of the Johns Hopkins Hospital community. In 1980, he performed the world’s first implantation of an automatic heart defibrillator in […]
Author Archives: Aria Brent
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: Morgan State University alum Dayna Quincy makes Broadway debut
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Most actors who choose a life on the stage only dream of performing on Broadway. That is not the case with Dayna Marie Quincy, the Morgan State University alum who recently made her life-long dream a reality. A native of Detroit, Mich., Quincy got her start as an actress […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO CEO and Publisher Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper speaks at commencement ceremony for Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer On the evening of May 23 Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) School of Education (SOE) held their 114th commencement ceremony, celebrating the latest group of alumni to join the network of over 24,000 educators. AFRO Publisher and CEO Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper delivered the commencement speech for the SOE graduates […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: UMD student earns Fulbright scholarship
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer The term “Young, gifted and Black” is the phrase to describe 22-year-old Mariah Campbell. The Clarksville, Md. native is a recipient of the Fulbright scholarship for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. After completing her degree at the University of Maryland, College Park, (UMD) majoring in agricultural and natural resource […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Black men recall their first time having Black, male teachers
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Though educators of all races, creeds and colors can and do connect with scholars of different backgrounds each day, the feeling of familiarity is an unmatched sentiment when it comes to the experience of having your first Black teacher. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen for Black young men in the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Five ways to support neurodivergent students
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Within the last few years there has been a lot of awareness regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and what neurodivergence is. As people grow more aware of what “being on the autism spectrum” means, more family members and friends are learning how to care for the neurodivergent. To understand […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Local band director Jared Perry named Baltimore City Teacher of the Year
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer Jared Perry is still riding on the wave of emotions that come with being named the 2023 Teacher of the Year Award for the Baltimore City Public Schools System. Perry is the band director and arts team lead at the historic Booker T. Washington Middle School for the Arts. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Museum of Art celebrates 50th anniversary of hip-hop music
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and celebrations have been happening all across the nation. Whether it be live performances, exhibits or parties, hip-hop is getting its rightful due in 2023. More than just a genre of music, hip hop has thoroughly blended into the daily happenings […]
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO Team wins big at MDDC editorial and advertising contest
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer The Maryland, Delaware and DC (MDDC) Press Association announced winners of the annual editorial and advertising contest, with a total of 16 awards going to the AFRO. Team AFRO showed up and showed out, with several awardees attending the ceremony in person in Annapolis, Md. Some of the categories […]
Posted inNational News
Tuskegee Airman receives honorary doctorate from Norwich University
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer After a lifetime of accolades, Brig.Gen. Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse is not done succeeding. Throughout his life he has had many accomplishments. The 96-year-old is documented as an original Tuskegee Airmen, a graduate of Yale University and a legal professional who opened his own law practice in 1960. Although Woodhouse […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimoreans react to Gervonta Davis’ 29th win
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer On the evening of April 22 fans tuned in to see two of boxing’s most prominent athletes go toe-to-toe at theT-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Gervonta Davis faced off against Ryan Garcia. Davis emerged victorious with the 29th win of his career. Garcia went down after being floored in […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Legacy of local legislators preserved through art
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Earlier this year Gov. Wes Moore made history by becoming the first Black man to be the governor of the state of Maryland. Moore is now a part of the rich, Black history in the state that is being preserved and told by local artists like Will Watson. Watson is […]